Corps members serving in the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture are set to undergo specialised training at the prestigious EbonyLife Academy, in a bid to empower youths and bolster the State’s creative economy.
Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting with corps members attached to the Ministry and its agencies — the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (LASCAC) and the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB).
According to the Commissioner, the training will cover photography, cinematography, scriptwriting, and music production. She explained that corps members will be divided into three batches for rotational postings and formal training at the academy, enabling them to select fields that align with their career goals.
“Over 15,000 individuals have already been trained free of charge in various aspects of the creative industry through partnerships between the Lagos State Government and private sector trainers, including the EbonyLife Academy,” Benson-Awoyinka said. “This is a golden opportunity for corps members to gain industry-relevant skills that will shape their future.”
She urged the corps members to serve as brand ambassadors for the Ministry by promoting the State Government’s youth-focused initiatives among their peers. She also encouraged active participation in the Ministry’s programmes, describing the service year as a springboard for personal and professional development.
The Commissioner further highlighted the Ministry’s forthcoming engagements, including activities connected to the movie industry and preparations for the international E-1 Boat Racing event scheduled for October.
Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, advised the corps members to embrace discipline and take full advantage of networking opportunities during their service year.
Sharing her experience, Miss Sule Peculiar Oboghena, a corps member with LASCAC, said working with the Council’s troupe had broadened her skills as a theatre graduate. “My service year here has taken me out of my comfort zone and given me valuable hands-on experience,” she said.
Other corps members also spoke about their unique experiences exploring Lagos’s rich tourism potential, noting that many of the state’s cultural attractions and heritage sites remain untapped. They praised the city’s cultural diversity and inclusiveness as key strengths in promoting tourism.
